26 - Doug Checknita

This week we sit down with Head Brewer of Blind Enthusiasm's Monolith, Doug Checknita. At only 27 years old Doug is a highly accomplished brewer despite being a relatively new player in the industry, and his work at Blind Enthusiasm's huge, menacing Monolith brewing facility is unique not just for Alberta, but for the entire continent.

Doug grew up in a DIY household full of “doers.” With a third birthday present of a bucket of nails, a bucket of scrap wood, and a set of real tools Doug would soon develop a desire to work hard and make things himself. His heavy appetite for hard work led to diving into Alberta’s craft beer industry in two places at once: Craft Beer Market, where he would have the opportunity to meet people in the industry, and Brew Brothers, where he would get his foot in the door as a brewer.

At the time the Old’s College brewing course was still yet to be, and Doug made the drive down while they were still under construction to voice his interest in joining the program. After joining the program Doug would have the opportunity to move to Quebec for a brewing internship, and he jumped on the opportunity. Despite not speaking any French, he says is was the best decision of his life.

His work with Blind Enthusiasm would start with a misunderstanding. Arriving to meet with owner Greg Zeschuk for what he thought was just a chat over beers, a touch hungover and clad in a metal band t-shirt from the show the night before, Doug would discover it was in fact a job interview. After putting everything on the table about the beer he wanted to make, Doug and Greg would set out on a years-long journey of Doug always asking for me, which led to Blind Enthusiasm as we know it today: A brewery and restaurant in Edmonton’s Ritchie Market, and the massive 3-story concrete brewing facility aptly called The Monolith.

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